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The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2004; 20(3); 543-559; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2004.07.006

Barrier precautions, isolation protocols, and personal hygiene in veterinary hospitals.

Abstract: Because nosocomial and zoonotic diseases are inherent and ever-present risks in veterinary hospitals, proactive policies should be in place to reduce the risk of sporadic cases and outbreaks. Policies should ideally be put in place before disease issues arise, and policies should be effectively conveyed to all relevant personnel. Written policies are required for practical and liability reasons and should be reviewed regularly. Although no infection control program can eliminate disease concerns, proper implementation of barrier precautions and isolation can reduce the exposure of hospitalized animals and hospital personnel to infectious agents. Appropriate personal hygiene, particularly hand hygiene, can assist in the prevention of disease transmission when pathogens bypass barriers and are able to contact personnel. Veterinary hospitals have moral, professional, and legal requirements to provide a safe workplace and to reduce the risks to hospitalized patients. Based on experience in the human medical field and on the continual emergence of new infectious diseases, infection control challenges can only be expected to increase in the future. Regular reassessment of protocols based on ongoing research and clinical experiences is required.
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Publication Date: 2004-11-03 PubMed ID: 15519817PubMed Central: PMC7135499DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2004.07.006Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper, “Barrier precautions, isolation protocols, and personal hygiene in veterinary hospitals,” emphasizes the importance of infection control in veterinary hospitals through preventive measures, including barrier precautions, isolation protocols, and personal hygiene practices. The study suggests that these practices are essential to protecting animals and hospital staff from infectious diseases.

Proactive Policies

  • The research underscores the importance of proactive policies to mitigate the risk of nosocomial and zoonotic diseases in veterinary hospitals. These policies should ideally be established prior to any disease outbreak and should be well communicated to all relevant hospital staff.
  • The use of written policies is noted as a requirement for practicality and liability reasons, with a regular review process to ensure they remain up-to-date and effective.

Infection Control Measures

  • The paper emphasizes that although no infection control program can completely eliminate disease risks, the proper implementation of barrier precautions and isolation protocols can significantly reduce infections. This entails limiting the exposure of hospitalized animals and hospital personnel to infectious agents, crucial for maintaining a safe environment in the hospital.
  • Barrier precautions refer to measures that prevent the spread of infectious agents. They include using personal protective equipment and maintaining clean surfaces.
  • Isolation protocols involve separating infected animals from those susceptible to infection, thus minimizing disease spread.

Personal Hygiene

  • The research also highlights the central role of personal hygiene practices in disease prevention, particularly in circumstances when pathogens bypass barriers. Among these practices, hand hygiene is specifically highlighted, due to its effectiveness in mitigating disease transmission.

Moral, Professional, and Legal Requirements

  • Veterinary hospitals have moral, professional, and legal obligations to provide a safe workplace and ensure the health and wellbeing of the animals under their care. These include minimizing risks for both the staff and the animals.

Future Challenges and Reassessments

  • The paper anticipates increased infection control challenges in the future, drawing parallels with the human medical field and the continual emergence of new infectious diseases. The researchers reinforce the necessity for regular reassessment of protocols, based on ongoing research and clinical experiences, to adapt to and overcome these challenges.

Cite This Article

APA
Weese JS. (2004). Barrier precautions, isolation protocols, and personal hygiene in veterinary hospitals. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 20(3), 543-559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2004.07.006

Publication

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
ISSN: 0749-0739
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 3
Pages: 543-559

Researcher Affiliations

Weese, J Scott
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1. jsweese@uoguelph.ca

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / prevention & control
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / veterinary
  • Hand Disinfection / methods
  • Hand Disinfection / standards
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horse Diseases / transmission
  • Horses
  • Hospitals, Animal / standards
  • Humans
  • Hygiene
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Quarantine / veterinary
  • Zoonoses

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Fesseha H, Kefelegn T, Mathewos M. Animal care professionals' practice towards zoonotic disease management and infection control practice in selected districts of Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia. Heliyon 2022 May;8(5):e09485.
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  2. Verkola M, Järvelä T, Järvinen A, Jokelainen P, Virtala AM, Kinnunen PM, Heikinheimo A. Infection prevention and control practices of ambulatory veterinarians: A questionnaire study in Finland. Vet Med Sci 2021 Jul;7(4):1059-1070.
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